Tropical Storm forms in Caribbean Sea; forecast to become major hurricane that could threaten Florida
Hurricane Watch issued for Cayman Islands while a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Jamaica. No alerts for the U.S. at this time.
Tropical Storm Ian Forms in Caribbean
Tropical Storm Ian Forms in the Caribbean Sea with winds of 40 mph.
Tropical Storm Ian formed Friday evening in the Caribbean Sea, and much of the Florida Peninsula is already included in the cone of uncertainty for the system that's likely to become a major hurricane named Ian in the days ahead.
This tropical storms joins three other systems currently roaming the Atlantic Basin, including post-tropical storm Fiona which will pummel Atlantic Canada this weekend, Tropical Storm Gaston near the Azores and Tropical Storm Hermine over the far eastern Atlantic.
While there's still a lot we don't know about the future of Tropical Storm Ian, here's everything the FOX Forecast Center can tell you right now ahead of this potential major-hurricane threat to the southeastern U.S. next week.
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Where is Tropical Storm Ian
As of Friday evening, Tropical Storm Ian was in the central Caribbean Sea and centered around 300 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 600 miles away from the Cayman Islands.
The tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of about 40 mph and was moving west-northwestward at 15 mph.
The Hurricane Hunters have several missions scheduled for Tropical Storm Ian to collect data that will be used to help meteorologists refine their forecasts.
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Who is under watches and warnings?
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Cayman Islands and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Jamaica.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the alerted area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of dangerous winds
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
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What is the forecast for Tropical Storm Ian?
Tropical Storm Ian is forecast to become a tropical storm by Saturday evening.
Only slow strengthening is forecast over the next day or two, but more significant intensification is expected on Sunday and Monday.
The current projection from the NHC shows this system becoming a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean Sea either late this weekend or early next week as it approaches the Cayman Islands. Prior to that, it's forecast to pass south of Jamaica on Saturday night and Sunday as a strengthening tropical storm.
By next Tuesday or Wednesday, this likely hurricane is expected to be located somewhere between the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the general vicinity of the Florida Peninsula, possibly as a major hurricane – one that is rated Category 3 or stronger on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
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"Now what you want to focus on is how big the cone really is. The skinnier the cone, the more confidence in the forecast. The larger the cone, the more questions there are as to where this storm is going to go," FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin explained. "Obviously, on days 4 and 5 as it gets closer to Cuba and Florida, you see more of a spread, and that's something to really take note of. There are a lot of changes that are likely to happen in the later half of this forecast, and this entire area really needs to look out for the potential of where we could be seeing this system as we get into early next week."
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According to the FOX Forecast Center, Tropical Storm Ian is expected to move into an area of the Caribbean Sea containing much lower wind shear and an abundant supply of deep, warm waters over the weekend.
Water temperatures in this part of the Caribbean Sea are in the upper 80s, which is a couple of degrees above average, providing ample fuel for this system to intensify over the coming days.
However, one inhibiting factor could be land interaction with Cuba early next week before it reaches the Gulf of Mexico toward the middle of the week.
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What are the expected impacts of Tropical Storm Ian in the Caribbean?
The main concern from Tropical Storm Ian is heavy rainfall for Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, western and central Cuba, southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic beginning as soon as this weekend, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
The highest rainfall amounts are predicted in western and central Cuba, where 6 to 10 inches is expected with isolated amounts up to 14 inches. Jamaica and the Cayman Islands could see 4 to 8 inches of rain, with localized amounts up to 12 inches.
In southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic, between 2 and 4 inches of rain is forecast, though locally higher totals as high as 6 inches are possible.
Depending on the exact track and intensity of Tropical Storm Ian, there could also be tropical-storm-force (39-plus mph) or hurricane-force (74-plus mph) winds in these areas.
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What threat will Tropical Storm Ian pose to Florida and the US Gulf Coast?
Tropical Storm Ian is predicted to be steered in the general direction of the eastern Gulf of Mexico and could be near the Florida Peninsula by the middle of next week.
An overwhelming majority of computer forecast models suggest the storm will likely be a major hurricane as it tracks toward the mainland U.S.
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However, forecasts for newly developed tropical cyclones are challenging, so don't be surprised if the forecast for Tropical Storm Ian undergoes several changes – some of which could be significant – over the coming days.
The storm-track guidance from the various computer forecast models currently ranges from the eastern Gulf of Mexico to near or off Florida's Atlantic coast, so everyone in this general zone should begin their preparations now in the event of a potential major-hurricane strike next week.
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So the bottom line is that it's still too early to know exactly where this system is heading, but know that there is a growing threat of a major hurricane impacting the southeastern U.S. around the middle of next week.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 24 counties that may be in the eventual path of Tropical Storm Ian, saying Floridians should prepare for the coming storm now. Residents can check their evacuation zone by typing in their address into an interactive map.
The FOX Forecast Center will be keeping a close eye on this system as it strengthens and tracks across the Caribbean in the days ahead.